Saturday, January 2, 2010

2010: Theatrical Resolutions

If you are like me, every year or every few years, you jump on the New Year's Resolution bandwagon. Usually, I do the typical "I will exercise more" "I will stay on a diet" type resolution (for the record, I really need to do both...). And I know I will generally fail because I have zero will power. If it is possible, I have LESS than zero will power.

So I got to thinking. In 2009, I decided to start this blog because I wanted to have a place to share my love of the art form - praise things I love, share the passion, and have a venue to air my grievances. I figured I'd start it, all gung ho, and then let it go a few days between, then stop all together. But I have found it is like cat nip for me. I can't wait to get on here and start typing! I can't wait to start googling pictures, or look at other theatre-lovers blogs! And I get a real kick out of checking the "number of visitors" number every day. I remember when there might be a day or two with no new number. Just at Thanksgiving time, it was getting like 25 a day. And this past two weeks, it's been over a hundred a day sometimes. Pretty cool. (I hope you are all enjoying it as much as I am enjoying doing it!)

Well, if I can start and keep up this blog, why can't I set other theatre-related goals for the year? I think I can, and that's because I LOVE theatre. I also love food and being lazy, which is why the OTHER kind of resolutions don't work on me. (I know, Jeff, you need to love yourself more, then those will work, too. I know. But telling me that is like trying to tell Diana to stay on her meds.)

And so, I came up with 5 Theatre Resolutions for 2010. Here they are, in no particular order, as I think they are equally important.

Expand this blog.
I'm not sure what more I can do, time wise, as I blog every day. But I want to make the content more interesting. I'd like to talk to some theatre people and blog about the "interview". I'd like to do more things like look back at certain shows and see where those involved are today. (I got great feedback from you guys on the Drood series, and I'm going to take one of your suggestions and look at The Who's Tommy in coming weeks.) And I know one thing I'm going to try and try soon (as in later this week). I'm going to create a crossword puzzle with clues based on Broadway shows. But I'm going to present it to you like those bridge games they used to have on the Puzzle Page in the local paper, or like those chess games people used to play through the mail. Any suggestions or changes or ideas you have that you'd like to see here, PLEASE email me! If you are, or know people involved in the business that might be interested in answering questions from a fan, get in contact with me and we'll work something out!



The Tony-winning Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia. Home of Glory Days!


Go to more regional theatre productions.
Granted, my job used to afford me short business trips so I could see theatre all around the country - love the Marriott Lincolnshire in Chicago, love CenterStage in Baltimore, love The Signature in DC (actually it's in Virginia, but really close to DC), and I really enjoyed some things I saw at the Asolo in Sarasota, Florida. My point is, that I have really enjoyed seeing what the rest of the country's hard working actors, directors and technicians are doing. Since my job will still be limiting travel, it will be up to me! But with MegaBus only an hour away(have you heard of this, East Coasters? It is AMAZING! And I will blog about this soon, too!) , I can get to NYC and from there, Philly, Boston, Baltimore and Washington DC. There is no excuse! Do you have a favorite regional theatre? Tell me (and us) about it!






Superior Donuts is one play I really wanted to see...


See more plays.
I guess this is kind of related to the resolution above, as most regional theatres seem to do more plays. It isn't that I don't like plays, I love them, but for some reason, I am set in my ways when it comes to Broadway. I LOVE musicals, and there really is no better place (in general) to see them. Still, every year, at Tony time especially, I kick myself for missing a play or two. My most recent play experiences on Broadway have been highly enjoyable: Deuce, Blithe Spirit, The American Plan, All My Sons, The Little Dog Laughed. But I have also missed Brighton Beach Memoirs, Superior Donuts, Take Me Out, and so many others. With the noticeable lack of new musicals or revivals that stick around long enough, there is no reason why I should miss a play or two. On my list in the immediate future: God of Carnage (I love Annie Potts!), Next Fall, The Miracle Worker (I love Allison and Abigail!) and A Behanding in Spokane (I love playwright Martin McDonagh!). Can you recommend a play to see (on or off Broadway or regionally?

Attend more theatre related events.
I am always so jealous of people who live in or near the city and can catch one night only events easily. I always need to plan a trip. I'd love to run over to Joe's Pub or Birdland or Town Hall and catch a show one weeknight. I've been to Broadway Bares, Broadway Barks and The Broadway Flea Market, but never all in the same year, though the Flea Market has become a tradition with me and a few friends. I'd like to go to Gypsy of the Year and the Easter Bonnet Competition, and of course, the granddaddy of them all, The Tony Awards! Have you been to any of these? Recommendations? Let me know!



The BCEFA Banner and Matthew Morrison at Broadway Bares!

Donate more to BCEFA.
This one is definitely related to the one above. I always feel a twinge of guilt when I don't drop more than a buck in the bucket, or worse, walk by it. They do amazing, valuable work. My money would be well-spent. I mean do I NEED another show t-shirt? No. A key chain? No. Why not save and shell out the extra cash for a signed poster (for the record, I have several, and most are purchased at fund raisers) or Playbill? I have so much more than a lot of people... I need to give more. End of story!

Do you have a theatrical resolution this year? Share it!

Comment? Leave on here or email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com.
Jeff

5 comments:

  1. Donate more to BCEFA.

    Do you know that Constantine has donated $25,000 to BCEFA which he had won doing a contest show in 2008? He's always named BCEFA as his main charity cause to support. So he's good mainly in the singing department but did you have to be so hard on him? He loves being part of the Broadway community, and has been supportive by attending Broadway Bares to the recent Gypsy show to performing in various charity shows including BCEFA's in 2006 and 2007 and was at Broadway Barks and Broadway Flea Market in 2009 as well as played softball for Broadway Show League which again is another Broadway Cares charity.

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  2. Hi, Lyn!
    Thanks so much for reading and for taking the time to write. I can certainly see why you are a Constantine fan. Those are some impressive statistics, all of which I admire and appreciate. It is always wonderful to hear that people love being part of the Broadway community AND participate in, as opposed to just being a star every night and going home.

    Rosie O'Donnell fits every single one of the elements you list for Mr. Maroulis (and more), and I adore Rosie. However, I would have to say that as far as her skills on stage, her gifts are limited to comedy, just as his are limited to singing. She, like he, is a wonderful member of the Broadway community and thank God for that, but she, like he, is a lousy actor.

    In the interest of fairness, I will close by quoting my review of his PERFORMANCE in Rock of Ages (and keep in mind I go on to negatively review one of my favorite actresses ever, Kerry Butler): "The star of the show, Constantine Maroulis does not disappoint vocally – he is deserving of any singing praise that comes his way, but at the risk of sounding like Simon Cowell, his acting is of high school quality at best, complete with mugging and feelings worn on his face like emoticons, rather than genuine emotion." Perhaps his next endeavor on Broadway will show that he is a better actor; since he loves it so much he'll be back, I'm sure. If so, I will be the first to sing his praises, trust me. Until then, (in my opinion only) Constanine Maroulis singer, A+; Broadway giver, A+; actor, not so much.

    Thank you again for writing. I always love discussing opinions, even when they disagree!

    Happy New Year!
    Jeff

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  3. Wow, thank you for posting my comment and hearing me out. I read your above reply with interest.

    So I haven't been reading your blogs much because I've only recently discovered, but other than ROA reviews, a few others that I've read, I've found to be enjoyable and relevant as they were packed with useful information/references/tidbits, being that I'm currently stationed overseas. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences that help me keep tracked as such. Be blessed and a Happy New Year to you too and whenever I have the time, I will visit your blog again.

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  4. Hi Jeff, it's me again but perhaps no need for you to post as this is just additional info, as a supportive Constantine fan, that he with some other ROA cast members were also present at Galvin Creel's Broadway Impact first rally. Thanks for reading again.

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  5. Lyn,

    I think that being able to have an informed discussion about theatre is what I want this blog to really be all about! And sometimes that means offering differing, but informed, passionate discussion. And I have enjoyed ours concerning Mr. Maroulis, haven't you?

    Thank you again for reading, responding and "discovering" my little piece of the Internet! I'm glad you are enjoying it, and am very glad you keep coming back. Spread the word! I hope that wherever you are, you are safe and come home happy and healthy. And a Blessed New Year to you, too.
    Jeff

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